ASCI Update: Complaints against 232 out of 305 ads are upheld

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In September 2017, ASCI’s Consumer Complaints Council (CCC) upheld complaints against 232 out of 305 advertisements. Out of 232 advertisements against which complaints were upheld, 62 belonged to the Healthcare category, 151 to the Education category, followed by 7 in the Food & Beverages category, 4 in the Personal Care category, and 8 advertisements from other categories.

DIRECT COMPLAINTS

ASCI processed complaints against the following advertisements from the general public, industry as well as from the Department of Consumer Affairs’ Grievances Against Misleading Advertisements (GAMA) Portal. Out of 92 advertisements, complaints against 28 advertisements were upheld. Of these 13 advertisements against Healthcare, 2 belonged to the Education category, 1 belonged to the Personal category, 4 belonged to Food & Beverage category and 8 belonged to the ‘others’ category.

HEALTHCARE:-

The CCC found the following claims of 13 advertisements in health care products or services to be either misleading or false or not adequately / scientifically substantiated and hence violating ASCI’s Code. Some of the health care products or services advertisements also contravened provisions of the Drugs & Magic Remedies Act (DMR Act), Drugs and Cosmetics Rules (D&C Rules) and Chapter I.1 and III.4 of the ASCI Code. Complaints against the following advertisements were UPHELD.

Jolly Healthcare (Jolly Fat Go Slimming Powder, Shreejee Honey (I) Pvt. Ltd. (Shreeji Ashtamrut), Truweight Wellness Pvt. Ltd. (Truweight), Dr. Basu’s Eye Hospital’s (Isotine Eye Drops), Vancor Impex Pvt. Ltd. (Vacurect), Merck Limited (Polybion), Dr. Patels Homeocare (Fertility Clinic), Pratiraj Herbal Pharmacy (Amrit Navjeevan Hair Oil), Deaf cure centre (Hearing Treatment), Vinayaka Hospital, Lotus Slimming Centre (Figure First), Agro Global Resources P. Ltd. (Wagga Wagga Diabetes care oil), Chemical Resources (Fenfuro)

EDUCATION:-

The CCC found following claims in the advertisements by two different advertisers were not substantiated and, thus, violated ASCI Guidelines for Advertising of Educational Institutions. Hence complaints against these advertisements were UPHELD.

Bennett Coleman & Co. Ltd. (TimesPro), National Institute of Computer Education (N.I.C.E Institute)

FOOD AND BEVERAGES:-

N.K Proteins Pvt. Ltd. (Tirupati Cooking Oil), G. D. Foods MFG. (India) Pvt. Ltd. (Tops Classic No Onion No Garlic Sauce, Sresta Natural Bioproducts Pvt. Ltd. (24 Mantra Whole Wheat Atta), G. D. Foods MFG. (India) Pvt. Ltd. (Tops Soya Sauce)

PERSONAL CARE:-

Dabur India Limited - Dabur Odomos

OTHERS:-

A-One gold TMT bars, Volkswagen Group Sales India P. Ltd. (Volkswagen), Johnson & Johnson Ltd. (Johnson's Baby Laundry Detergent), Brainbees Solutions Private Limited (Firstcry.com), Ambuja Cements Ltd. (Ambuja Plus Cool Walls), Department of Tourism, Government of Kerala (Kerala Tourism), Cheil India P. Ltd. (Samsung French Door Refrigerator), Milagrow Business & Knowledge Solutions (Milagrow Robots)

SUO MOTO ACTION

The advertisements given below were picked up through ASCI’s Suo Moto surveillance of print and TV media via National Advertisement Monitoring Services (NAMS) project. Out of 213 advertisements, total of 204 advertisements were considered to be misleading. Of these 49 advertisements against Healthcare, 149 belonged to the Education category, 3 belonged to the Personal category and 3 belonged to Food & Beverage category.

HEALTHCARE:-

The CCC found the following claims of 49 advertisements in health care products or services to be either misleading or false or not adequately / scientifically substantiated and hence violating ASCI’s Code. Some of the health care products or services advertisements also contravened provisions of the Drugs & Magic Remedies Act (DMR Act), Drugs and Cosmetics Rules (D&C Rules) and Chapter I.1 and III.4 of the ASCI Code. Complaints against the following advertisements were UPHELD.

Ayurwin Pharma Pvt. Ltd. (Nutrislim plus Range of Products), Ayurwin Pharma Pvt. Ltd. (Nutrigain plus Range of Products), Naturoveda Health World, Guduchi The Ayurvedism (Obesidat), Gloss Pharmaceuticals Pvt. Ltd. (Vaeg Capsules and Oil), Raman Ayurvedic Cancer Society, Aas Piles Clinic, G. M. Pharmacy (Sadabahar Sugar Free), Dr Azad Herbal Centre, Stimox Capsule, Dr N Dharmarajan Hospital, Shree Baidyanath Ayur Bhawan Pvt. Ltd. (Baidyanath Vita Ex Gold Plus), Gaharwar Pharma Products Pvt. Ltd. (P.V. Tone Oil and Capsule), Dr. Taj, Janta Clinic, Jivak Ayurveda, Vaidyaratnam P.S. Variers Kottakkal Arya Vaidyasala, Care and Cure Herbals (Shots Capsules and Gel), Bengali Dawakhana, Birla Healthcare Ayurveda Pvt. Ltd. (Birla Ayurveda), Sri Balaji Ayurvedic Clinic, Kunnath Pharmaceuticals Pvt. Ltd. (Musli Power Range of Products), Shivansh Ayurveda, Manoj Ayurveda Hospital and Research Center, Chaturbhuj Pharmaceutic al Company (Right Sugar Tablet), Herbsayurmed Pharmaceuticals (Ajmod Ras and Ajmod Extract Dried), Siddhar Diabetic Foundation, Star Ayurveda (Star Homeopathy), Homeocare International, Sanjivani Ayurvedic, Shree Maruti Herbal (Stay-On Power Capsule), Shree Maruti Herbal (Stay-On Power Capsule), Rajnish Hot Deals Pvt. Ltd. (Play Win Capsule), Rajnish Hot Deals Pvt. Ltd. (Play Win plus Capsule), Rajnish Hot Deals Pvt. Ltd. (Play Win plus Capsule), Curles and Curves - Hair Transplantation and Cosmetic Surgery Centre, Apollo Hospitals Enterprise Limited (Apollo Hospitals), Shree Paramhans Skin and Hair Regrowth Centre, Shalby Limited (Shalby Hospitals), Elation Hair and Skin Clinic, Perfect Point, Slim-N-Health, Dr Dev Slimming Clinic, Shretej Slimming Centre, Angels Advanced Clinic, Apollo Hospitals Enterprise Ltd. (Apollo Speciality Hospitals), VLCC Health Care Pvt. Ltd, Nurture Health Care (Medora Upchar Paddhati), Chennai Hospitals Information Center

EDUCATION:-

The CCC found following claims in the advertisements by 149 different advertisers were not substantiated and, thus, violated ASCI Guidelines for Advertising of Educational Institutions. Hence complaints against these advertisements were UPHELD.

United Group of Institutions, AISECT University, Amity Global School, Aviral Classes, Chandigarh Group of Colleges, Dr M.G.R Polytechnic College, Rajasthan Defence Academy, Alpha Group Of Institutions (Alpha College Of Engineering), BPJ College of Arts and Science, IIT Gurukul Pawar Sir - (Pawar PMT Classes), SkyWay School - (Skyway Career Hub), Sant Baba Bhag Singh University, Swami Vivekanand Subharti University, Techno Vision Super -30, UPES College of Engineering Studies (UPES) – (UPES College of Management & Economics Studies), Chronicle of Institute Competitive Study, Maharishi Vidya Mandir, BITT RVAIM Educational Pvt Ltd, Teerthanker Mahaveer University, Maya Devi Educational Foundation (Maya Group of Colleges), NIMS University, Neelkanth Group of Institutions, Indian Institute of Computer & Hospital Management, Sharda University, Swami Vivekanand University, Shankar IAS Academy, Aero Institute of Technology, Akbar Academy of Airline Studies, Art Forte, Atlantis International Academy, Capella Maritime, Central Footwear Training Institute, Cleopatra Beauty Academy, Dheya IAS, Flying Queen Air Hostess Academy, GOAL Educational Services Pvt. Ltd (Goal Coaching), Geetha Shishu Shikshana Sangha (GSSS Institute of Engineering & Technology for Women), IIKM Business School, J.R. Media Institute, Jai Bharath Educational Foundation (Jai Bharath College Of Management And Engineering Technology), Jawaharlal Nehru Institute of Arts & Science (JNIAS), JD Institute Technology of Fashion, Lakshya CA Campus, Mody University of Science and Technology, New Science Degree and PG College, Oasis Educational Services Pvt. Ltd, Ravis Education System, Sri Narayana Educational Institution (Sahodaran Ayyappan Memorial College of Education), Shail Group of Institutions, Sri Nanesh Samta Vikas Trust, Universal College Of Engineering, Vijnan Institute of Science and Technology, Flywin Academy of Aviation & Vocational Training, Jetking Infotrain Ltd, Olive Petals, SIMS Technologies, SR Group of Institution, Sri Chaitanya Educational Institution (Sri Chaitanya Iit Academy), SSN Degree College, T D Institute of Professional Studies & Research Rewa (T D Nursing College), The Hotel School, UPCIA Industrial Training Centre, Amaravathi Business School, Arka’s Institute of Fashion Designs, Birsa Inst Of Tech (Trust) (BITT Polytechic), Frankfinn Aviation Service Pvt. Ltd (Frankfinn Institute of Air Hostess Training), Indian Institute of Airways Training, Horizon Institute of Accounts and Tax Studies, Jagran Social Welfare Society (Jagran Lakecity University), Super Institute Twenty Training, Western Institute of Technology, Arulmigu Kalasalingam College of Pharmacy, Ayyappa Institute of Management Studies, Food Craft Institute, Kalvi Higher Education and Research Institute, Aptech Limited (Arena Animation Academy), Dr. Kedar Nath Modi Foundation – (Dr. K. N. Modi University), Nilai Educational Trust -(Nilai Group of Institutions), Ideal Education Society (ANG Ideal Group of Institutions), Ojas Charitable Trust - (Lasante Trauma Emergency Management & Research Institute), Sir M Visvesvaraya Education Trust – (Rajiv Gandhi Group of Institutions), Nilayas I-CAT Institute of Commerce, Royale College Of Tour and Hotel Management,Universal Group Of Institutions, Abhilashi Group of Institutions, Lakshya(Association of Chartered Certified Accountant (ACCA) Global, Accurate Institute of Management & Technology(Accurate Group of Institutions), Acharya Institutes, Alpha Group of Educational Institutions(Alpha College of Engineering & Technology), BSC Publishing Co. Pvt.Ltd(Banking Services Chronicle Academy), Dr Bhatia Medical Coaching Institute, Sakthi Medical Trust(Dr Nallini Institute of Engineering & Technology), E-Careerpluz Info (India) Pvt Ltd, Expert Institute of Advance Technology Pvt. Ltd, GLA University, GMS-MAVMM Polytechnic College, S. Amar Singh Educational Charitable Trust(GNA University), Gupta Classes, Hitech Mobile Repair Learning Centre, Career Point Kota, IANT Computer Education, Indus International School, Kailash Institute, Kautilya Academy, Zee Interactive Learning System (Kidzee Pre School), Lotus Tecwins, Madhav University, MIET Group of Institutions, MIPS Institute, Paramveer Academy, Rajalakshmi School of Business (Rajalakshmi Institutions), Rustomjee Academy for Global Careers Pvt. Ltd, ASEL English Learning Centre, Kanchan Shikshan Sansthan (Kanchan Devi Girls College), DAV School Samana, Mangalore Institute of Fire & Safety Engineering MIFSE, S N R Sons Charitable Trust (Sri Ramakrishna Polytech College), Sudharshana Polytechnic College, Viswambhara Educational Society (Vaagdevi Degree & P.G College), Arcot Sri Mahalakshmi Womens College, Ajmer Coaching Daswani Classes Coaching (Daswani Classes), Florence College Of Nursing, Hindustan University (Hindustan Institute of Technology and Science), Future U India Private Limited (Indo American Montessori Pre-School), Jetking Infotrain Ltd (Jetking Computer Education), Jumbo Jet Aviation Academy, Kites Academy, Kongu Nadu Educational and Charitable Trust (The Kongu Polytechnic College), P M R Educational Trust (P M R Engineering College), Sri Pragathi Institute- (Pragati Bank Academy), Punjab Educational Charitable Trust- (Punjab College of Engineering), Guruji Educational Trust- (Sri Aurobindo Mira College Of Education), Unnati Group Of College, Winner Institute of Competitive Exam, Global College of Engineering And Technology, Sir C.V. Raman Junior College, CLC Career Line Coaching, CLC Career Line Coaching, Chennais Amirta International Institute of Hotel Management, Bharath University, Pushkara Institute Computer, Dhanalakshmi Srinivasan Charitable and Education Trust – (Srinivasan College of Arts and Science), Bhabha Group of Institutions, The Pinnacle Center Educational, Purvanchal Educational Trust (Banaras Institute of Polytechnic & Engineering BIPE), Pt. T. M. Social Work and Educational Trust (M S D Group of Institution), Speakwell Skills Academy Pvt Ltd (Speakwell English Academy), Hi Will Education and Bhadauria Group of Institutions - (Jaswant Sinh Bhadauria Institute of Technology & Baba Saheb Ambedkar Polytechnic).

PERSONAL CARE:-

Godrej Consumer Products Ltd. (Godrej No. 1 Soap), Zee Laboratories Limited (Myfair Fairness Forever Cream), Hindustan Unilever Ltd

FOOD AND BEVERAGES:-

Gloss Protein Whey, Gloss Mass Gainer, Gloss Creatine

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